BackgroundKnowing the genome characteristics of circulating Newcastle disease viruses [avian paramyxoviruses (APMV-1) and pigeon paramyxoviruses (PPMV-1)] is important to devise appropriate diagnostics and control strategies. APMVs originating from chicken and wildlife in Pakistan are well-elucidated; nevertheless, molecular characterization for the circulating PPMV-1 is largely unknown. FindingsHere, we have performed fusion (F) and hemagglutinin (HN) gene based characterization of PPMV-1 isolated from an outbreak in a pigeon flock. With F0 proteolytic cleavage site (112RRQKR↓F117), characteristic of velogenic/mesogenic serotype, the complete F and HN gene based sequence analysis of the isolate revealed evolutionary relationship to genotype VI. Further analysis of hyper-variable region of F-gene demonstrated clustering of the study isolate with genotype VIb. The deduced residue analysis for both F and HN protein showed a number of substitution mutations in the functional domains distinct from representative strains of each genotype including the vaccine strains; some of them were found exclusive to the study isolate. Conclusions Though limited and preliminary data, the findings enhance our knowledge towards circulating strains of PPMVs in Pakistan. Further studies are needed to ascertain its potential for transmission in the wild birds, commercial and backyard poultry and its subsequent shedding into the environment.

An epidemiological study was executed to determine the prevalence of common diseases in camels of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Starting from Fort Abbas to Rahim Yar Khan, the survey was carried out from May 2010 to April 2011. Epidemiological data was collected from the camel herds of Cholistan (Locally called as Tobbas) and analyzed to interpret current scenario of camel diseases. The overall prevalence of all diseases in camels was 15.8%. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis, pneumonia, mange, and anthrax in camels was recorded as 5.39%, 5.49%, 3.14% and 1.80%, respectively. Considering this baseline information, strategic disease control measures should be develop to combat infectious, parasitic and miscellaneous diseases especially Surra, pneumonia, mange and anthrax. All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers

Newcastle disease virus, a prototype avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1), causes economically devastating disease in avian species around the world. Newcastle disease is enzootic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are frequent in multiple avian species even after continuous and extensive use of vaccines. A number of APMV-1 and pigeon paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PPMV-1) strains have been isolated and genetically characterized in recent years. However, the impact of recently characterized wild bird-origin APMVs in domestic poultry, and the potency of routinely used vaccines against these novel and genetically diverse viruses remain unknown. Here, we applied next-generation sequencing for unbiased complete genome characterization of APMV-1 and PPMV-1 strains isolated from clinically diseased peacocks (Pavocristatus) and pigeons (Columbalivia), respectively. Global phylodynamics and evolutionary analysis demonstrates Pigeon/MZS-UVAS-Pak/2014 is clustered into lineage 4 (or genotype VI) and Peacock/MZS-UVAS-Pak/2014 into lineage 5 (or genotype VII). The genomes of both isolates encoded for polybasic residues (112RRQKR↓F117) at the fusion protein cleavage motif along with a number of important substitutions in the surface glycoproteins compared with the vaccine strains. Clinicopathological and immunological investigations in domesticated chickens indicate that these isolates can potentially transmit between tested avian species, can cause systemic infections, and can induce antibodies that are unable to prevent virus shedding. Collectively, the data from these genomic and biological assessments highlight the potential of wild birds in transmitting APMVs to domesticated chickens. The study also demonstrates that the current vaccine regimens are incapable of providing complete protection against wild bird-origin APMVs and PPMVs.

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